Matthew R. Alter

Matthew Alter* is the head of the Construction Group at Cassels Brock and a partner in the Firm’s Advocacy, Infrastructure, Land Development, and Mining Groups. His practice focuses on representing public and private owners and developers, general contractors, and other construction industry participants in all aspects of construction and procurement. He advises clients on project delivery methods and procurement processes, and drafts and negotiates various agreements for construction and infrastructure projects and related acquisitions, including Private Public Partnership arrangements. Matthew also represents participants in all types of contract and project disputes and litigation, including: tendering claims and defences, contractor defaults, interference and delay claims, liens, trust claims, insolvency claims, and surety bond claims.

Matthew currently serves as President of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers and is recognized internationally as a top construction and procurement lawyer by the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada, the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Euromoney’s Legal Media Group Guide: Best of the Best Expert Guide, Who’s Who Legal: Canada, Chambers Canada, The Legal 500 Canada, and The Best Lawyers in Canada. He has also been included in the Lexpert Special Editions on Canada’s Leading Infrastructure Lawyers (2012–2018), Leading Lawyers in Global Mining (2014–2017), and Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers (2018), and was featured on the cover of Lexpert magazine’s April 2011 edition on “Procurement Pros.” Matthew was named the 2015 and 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” for Public Procurement Law by Best Lawyers in Canada for Toronto — only a single lawyer for each practice area in any given city is selected for this award.

Matthew is certified as a Specialist in Construction Law by the Law Society of Ontario and holds an AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

The Evolution of Construction Lien Legislation in Ontario from 1873–2011, The Advocates' Quarterly, Co-Author (May 2011)

Securing Payment and Performance on International Projects, Co-author, Chapter 9 of American Bar Association book, International Construction Law — A Guide for Cross-Border Transactions and Legal Disputes (October 2009)

Speaker: Risk Management for International Construction Projects: What You Need to Know Before Contracting Across National Borders, ABA Forum on the Construction Industry and the Construction Litigation Committee of the ABA Section of Litigation, Midwinter Meeting, "Coverages, Disputes and Tactics for Survival: Critical Insurance and Litigation Issues and Insights" (January 2009, Florida)

Client Commentary

“Observers report that ‘he is very well-versed in the law,’ with one client stating ‘I like the practical nature of his approach.” – Chambers Canada (Construction)

“A first-rate litigator and astute advisor. He provides a brilliant advisory service to clients and is also adept at handling complex disputes.”– Who’s Who Legal (Construction)

“He is extremely thoughtful and evaluates the entire picture. He certainly watches out for our interests and makes sure we don’t miss anything.”– Chambers Global (Construction)

“His knowledge base is his strength; he is very experienced and knows what he is doing.”– Chambers Canada (Construction)

“Matthew Alter is a fine lawyer. He is experienced, bright and possesses a keen knowledge of complex construction law issues. In addition, he provides timely and practical legal advice.” – Best Lawyers in Canada (Construction/Public Procurement)

“Matthew Alter is one of the top lawyers that I have worked with in my professional career. He is a true expert in construction law, and has the unique ability of being able to simplify difficult concepts, and then recommend suitable solutions.” – Best Lawyers in Canada (Construction/Public Procurement)

"He can present a difficult subject that people aren't familiar with in layman's terms, so that we have a good understanding from both a construction perspective and a legal one." – Chambers Canada (Construction)